Latest Orioles rally falls short again in 6-5 loss (updated)
Latest Orioles rally falls short again in 6-5 loss (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
NEW YORK - The Orioles forced J.A. Happ to throw 33 pitches in the top of the first inning today. Loaded the bases against him after scoring a run. Listened as fans booed the starter. Seemed on the verge of releasing all the frustration that built over past games against the Yankees. They settled for the one run, gave up four in the bottom half of the inning and looked again like a team loaded with desire and energy but short in other areas. And the beasts that they keep facing aren't going to...
Scherzer: "I think I'm ready to pitch in the big leagues"
Scherzer: "I think I'm ready to pitch in the big leagues"
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Max Scherzer insists he's ready to pitch. Now. In the big leagues. As soon as the Nationals will let him. Which is the real issue, to be honest. Scherzer may believe he's ready to return from the injured list this weekend, but he may be at the mercy of the Nationals' medical and coaching staffs. "It'll come down to me and the medical staff, yeah," manager Davey Martinez said. "Like I said, we're going to be very conscious, and we'll see where we're at. The good news is that he feels...
Orioles claim Eades off waivers from Twins (O's down 6-5)
Orioles claim Eades off waivers from Twins (O's down 6-5)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles have been searching for pitchers to improve their depth in the rotation and bullpen, and they made a minor move this afternoon by claiming right-hander Ryan Eades off waivers from the Twins, according to multiple sources. Eades, 27, made his major league debut earlier this summer and appeared in two games. He blanked the Tigers on two hits over two innings on June 8 at Comerica Park and the Mariners on two hits over 1 2/3 on June 12 at Target Field. He's walked two batters and...
Dozier and others on team expecting baby Nats soon
Dozier and others on team expecting baby Nats soon
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals of the future are on the way with the wives of Brian Dozier, Daniel Hudson and Hunter Strickland expecting babies very soon. I asked Dozier before today's game when the due date is for his wife, Renee, for their first baby girl and he semi-joked "in about an hour". Dozier is not in the starting lineup today. But Nationals manager Davey Martinez said there is another reason for the day off. Dozier got stepped on sliding into third base in Tuesday's win over the Reds. "It's on its...
Hyde: "I think the vibe has been good all year" (O's down 4-2)
Hyde: "I think the vibe has been good all year" (O's down 4-2)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
NEW YORK - Outfielder DJ Stewart is joining Triple-A Norfolk today in Pawtucket for the first of two rehab games before the Orioles are expected to remove him from the seven-day concussion injured list for Friday's series opener in Boston. "I think we're going to make a decision after Thursday," said manager Brandon Hyde. There's always the possibility that the Orioles activate Stewart and option him again. Otherwise, they'd have to go with a four-man bench - and it's unlikely that...
Game 120 lineups: Nats vs. Reds
Game 120 lineups: Nats vs. Reds
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
In turning their season around, the Nationals have rebounded from a low point of 12 games under .500 to a high point of nine games over .500. They've had several chances to climb to 10 games over but to date haven't been able to reach that level. They'll get another chance today as they attempt to sweep the Reds. Stephen Strasburg takes the ball, looking to pick up where he left off Friday night in New York and earn his league-leading 15th win of the season. Strasburg has enjoyed success...
Orioles and Yankees lineups (updated)
Orioles and Yankees lineups (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
NEW YORK - Trey Mancini is playing first base this afternoon as the Orioles try to salvage a game in the series and end their 15-game losing streak to the Yankees. Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing third base. The outfield includes Jace Peterson in left again and Stevie Wilkerson is in center. Richie Martin is the shortstop with Jonathan Villar at second base. Gleyber Torres is serving as the Yankees' designated hitter today. For the Orioles Hanser Alberto 3B Trey Mancini 1B Anthony...
Robles shows off Gold Glove arm in center field again
Robles shows off Gold Glove arm in center field again
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Game situation: top of the sixth and one away, the Nationals lead the Reds 3-0, pinch-hitter José Peraza walks with one out. Jesse Winker singles to center field. Men on first and third. Right? Not so fast. As this scenario played out in yesterday's game, Nats center fielder Victor Robles picked up the ball in center field and fired a dart to third baseman Anthony Rendon, who made a diving tag to nail Peraza as he slid into third base. Victor Robles had to go get a ball in the right-center...
O's game blog: The series finale in the Bronx
O's game blog: The series finale in the Bronx
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Will Renato Núñez and Trey Mancini lead the Orioles to a win today in the series finale against the New York Yankees? They'll be facing a Yankees pitcher who has struggled recently and one they have hit very well this year. Lefty J.A. Happ (9-7, 5.48 ERA) gets the start for the Yankees. Over his past two starts he has allowed 10 runs in 10 2/3 innings. Over his past four games he is 1-2 with an 8.55 ERA and a 1.004 OPS against, and he's allowed eight homers in 20 innings. And in four...
As rotation continues to struggle, what will it look like next year?
As rotation continues to struggle, what will it look like next year?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The readers of this blog are starting to beat the drum already. The Orioles, they say, need to sign some starting pitching for 2020 to avoid a repeat of the pitching we've seen in 2019. OK, that sounds reasonable. But here is the issue: To get real quality with a track record of success, they probably need to offer a free agent a multi-year contract. Are they going to be ready to do that? Probably not. Failing that, you get back to the pitchers you can get for a one-year deal, and they won't...